When God breathes life into a hopeless situation

5:30 am
Wendy van Eyck
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{Guest post by Sandra Ng’ambwa}

Listen to me, family of Jacob,
everyone that’s left of the family of Israel.
I’ve been carrying you on my back
from the day you were born,
And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old.
I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and grey.
I’ve done it and will keep on doing it,
carrying you on my back, saving you.

Isaiah 46:3-4 (MSG)

This is the prayer I prayed months on end for my grandfather. I remember saying ‘Lord, thank you for babu (grand-father in Swahili); thank you that you are the One who keeps him and sustains him until his grey hairs.’

Time and time again when babu would get admitted into hospital for the past seven years, God remained faithful. He kept him. He preserved his life.

Only God can do this.

Only God has the power to breathe hope where the situation seems dire and hopeless. (tweet this)

Babu could not walk, and he could not remember much.

But God gave him life.

God kept him, according to his promise in Isaiah. Even when many of his friends gave up on him because he could not hold a proper conversation, God placed around him people that cared and loved him.

That’s what God does - when everyone leaves you because you no longer fit their profile, He comes along and brings the right people with him.

And for that I am grateful.

Now, two months since babu’s passing, I stand here, not in mourning, but in gratitude for the many lives that he touched. For the legacy he left. Being extremely generous to those who were less fortunate is something he practised. Encouraging families to stick together and be united is what he did. Standing up to educate female children in the 60s is what he believed in, especially when many in Africa didn’t approve at the time. And now looking back, I see how babu left an example of what Jesus would do.

And for that I am grateful.

I am grateful that God answered my prayers and remained faithful.

God will always remain faithful.

Although it hurts that babu is no longer here with us, I know that every time I practise generosity and compassion, I am not only living out his legacy, but also the legacy of my Father in heaven.

I would encourage you to keep holding on to God’s promises even when things seem to be going in the opposite direction. He is faithful and He hears every desperate word you speak to Him.

Ponder: Have you lost a loved one in the recent months? What legacy have they left that encourages you in your faith today?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus I ask you to help me believe you Word. Help me to pray and have faith when things are going in the opposite direction. Help me to trust that you know what’s best and to be give thanks in all situations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

{About the author of this guest devotional}

I’m Sandi - a 20-something year old determined to live out all the dreams God has placed in my heart. I love anything to do with Jesus, cities, travelling and chocolate. I also enjoy encouraging people and cultivating my relationships through coffee, lunch or dinner dates. You can find me on twitter, facebook or on my website.

In my free e-bookLife, Life and More LifeI share thoughts on how to make every moment count gleaned from my experiences of loving my husband through 18 sessions of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. If you would like a free copy please subscribe below to receive my devotionals every Monday and Thursday.

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I'm Wendy and I'm learning to love well, run well and read well. I write for anyone who has ever held a loved one’s hand through illness, or believed in God despite hard circumstances or ever left on a spontaneous 2-week holiday through a foreign land with just a backpack.

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I'm learning to love well, run well and read well. I’m married to Xylon - a man who talks non-stop about cycling - and makes me laugh. I write for anyone who has ever held a loved one’s hand through illness, or believed in God despite hard circumstances or ever left on a spontaneous 2-week holiday through a foreign land with just a backpack.